[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 4 (Thursday, January 27, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                  TRIBUTE TO COL. JAMES G. HART, USMC

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 27, 2000

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the late Col. James G. 
Hart, who in his too-short life brought great honor to his country 
through distinguished service in the U.S. Marine Corps.
  A native of Minnesota and Montana, Colonel Hart graduated from the 
U.S. Naval Academy in 1964, and chose to join the Marines. After the 
basic school, he served three tours in Vietnam; as a rifle platoon 
commander with 1st Recon and later with 5th Recon. In February 1968, 
Colonel Hart entered flight school and graduated with distinction in 
March 1969. He was assigned to VMFA-314 at Chu Lai, Vietnam, where he 
flew the F-4B.
  Colonel Hart's many tours in the corps included assignments as a 
flight instructor, an aide to the commanding general 1st MAW, a test 
pilot at China Lake, CA, and designation as a USMC space shuttle pilot. 
He also served as F/A-18 Hornet project officer at Headquarters Marine 
Corps, with MAG-11 at 3rd MAW, commanding officer of Headquarters and 
Maintenance Squadron 13, and commander of the Marine Aviation 
Detachment at Naval Air Test Center, Patuxent River, MD. For a time, I 
was honored to serve with Colonel Hart at Naval Air Station Miramar, 
CA. Colonel Hart retired from the Marine Corps in 1991 and began a very 
successful career in international business.
  His awards include the Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars with Combat 
V, the Purple Heart, Single Air Mission Air Medal, Air Medal with 
numeral nine, Combat Action Ribbon, and Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry 
with Bronze Star.
  Born March 3, 1942, this great man and great American died May 23, 
1999. He is survived by his wife, Martha Monagan-Hart, and sons Matt, 
Andy, and John.
  Let the permanent Record of the Congress of the United States show 
that Colonel James G. Hart demonstrated throughout his life the 
greatest attributes of the United States of America, through honorable 
and distinguished service in the Marine Corps, in aviation, in private 
business, as a leader of men and women, and as a devoted husband and 
father. While he is departed from us on Earth, Colonel Hart is most 
certainly not forgotten. We remember him best by emulating the best of 
his character--in honor, loyalty, service, dedication, and the practice 
of excellence.
  Semper Fidelis, Colonel.

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